2005 MG ZS — MOT failures & pass rate
1,877 MOT tests on the 2005 MG ZS are in this dataset, and 74.0% of them passed. That is 2.0 percentage points better than small SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 28.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests against 10.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 141 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 33.6% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 29.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 292 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 192 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.2% | 191 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 162 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 105 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 84 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 141 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 138 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 100 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 83 |
| 5 | Joints | 79 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 71 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 29.4% | 552 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.5% | 517 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.5% | 403 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.0% | 394 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 228 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 169 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 324 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 611 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 544 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 217 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 152 | 33.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,683 | 25.6% |
| Diesel | 194 | 29.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 489 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 431 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 367 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 316 | 23.1% |
| 2025 | 274 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2005 ZS
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (10.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 MG ZSs pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 1,877 2005 MG ZS MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 MG ZS?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by brakes (10.2%).
Does the 2005 ZS get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.3% in the 30-60k band to 33.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,877 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.